Birds found injured and dying have been discovered with steel ball bearings embedded in their bodies after being targeted in a series of suspected catapult attacks.
Rescue centres treating the animals only uncovered the shocking injuries after carrying out X-rays, which revealed metal ball bearings lodged inside some of the birds.
Campaigners fear the attacks are becoming increasingly common and warn that the true scale of the problem could be far worse than official figures suggest, as reported by Need To Know.
The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) is now urging members of the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious behaviour.
Russ Middleton, head of intelligence at LACS and a former police officer, said the issue was not limited to one area and was being seen across the South East.
He said: “The public needs to be aware.
“It’s young people who are using these catapults to commit crimes against wildlife.
“The rescue centres report to say these birds are found badly injured or dead, when they X-ray them they find steel ball bearings embedded in their bodies.
“It’s only the tip of the iceberg, we can only record what we’re aware of.”
Concerns have centred on Hailsham, East Sussex, where the town council has urged residents to remain alert following attacks on wildfowl over the past two years.
According to LACS, there have been seven recorded incidents involving wildlife being shot or shot at with steel ball bearings in the town since May 2024.
The charity said the latest alleged incidents took place in April and involved reports of birds and squirrels being targeted near the Cuckoo Trail.
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue Ambulance Service previously said it had dealt with more than 25 incidents involving people using catapults against wildlife along the trail between Polegate and Horam.
Trevor Weeks MBE, founding director of East Sussex WRAS, said: “Catapult attacks on wildlife are cruel, deliberate and completely unacceptable.
“We have seen the devastating injuries these incidents can cause, and sadly many animals suffer terribly as a result.
“The Cuckoo Trail and the Hailsham area are places used and enjoyed by families, walkers, cyclists and wildlife lovers. We do not want to see this behaviour become normalised or escalate further.
“We are asking the public to be our eyes and ears.
“If you witness someone using a catapult against wildlife, find an injured animal you suspect has been attacked, or see suspicious behaviour, please report it to Sussex Police. Information can also be passed to Operation Lakeshot via the League Against Cruel Sports.
“Even small pieces of information may help build a bigger picture and allow action to be taken before more animals are harmed.”
Phil Hobden, who has managed Common Pond in Hailsham for more than 30 years, said: “It’s upsetting, it’s going on and it shouldn’t.
“Nothing happens to these people.”
He said magnet fishers had handed him “two jam jars of ball bearings” recovered from the pond and believed many more attacks could be taking place than have been officially reported.
He added: “I don’t understand it, it’s crazy.
“A defenceless bird.”
The League Against Cruel Sports is campaigning for catapults and slingshots to be harder to buy online.
While catapults are legal to own and carry in the UK, using them to harm people, animals or property may constitute a criminal offence under existing laws.
A Defra spokesperson said the department continued to keep relevant legislation under review in the interests of public safety.
A Sussex Police spokesperson added: “While the number of reported incidents of wildlife harm involving catapults remains low in Sussex, we are continuing to support initiatives which further reduce this type of crime including working with partners and other forces.
“We are also working with communities to raise awareness around these issues, to educate the public on the serious consequences of hurting local wildlife and prevent harm to the nature and wildlife in Sussex.”
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